Wednesday, October 30, 2013

Sowing Compadre Zoysia Seed - Starter Fertiliser

The starter fertiliser we suggest is Nitrophoska Blue ,
Yara Mila [ sometimes sold as Yara Hydrocomplex] , Crop King 55 or Crop King
88.All are okay and have slightly
different NPK blends, and different retailers sell them,so you need to see what might be around in
your area through Bunnings, Elders, Landmark etc.

Companies such as Lesco and Scotts which specialise in turf products and equipment, also have small prilled, turf starter fertiliser with some slow release nitrogen. Quite good to use but can be more expensive and may be more difficult to source.

Commonly the NPK ratios are around 20: 12: 15, often with 5-10% sulfur as well, plus trace elements, for these starter fertilisers.

There are other brands as well, but many other brands are less well known and less available for smaller users.

Use what is available and attractively priced in your region. These products are soluble fertiliser and can be mobile ie leach, and need additional fertiliser within about 4 weeks of application.

We recommend 2kg / 100 sq m at or before sowing, another
2kg/100 sq m at about 4-6 weeks [after emergence and when small seedlings are
present] and then to switch to a slow release turf product at about 8-10 weeks,
and then repeat every 12 weeks after that, until cooler months [say May or
June].From the next year in September /
October restart the slow release fertiliser and repeat at 12 weeks
intervals.From midway in the next year, cease fertiliser application when
cooler weather starts, then recommence with a 2 or 3 times per year schedule of
slow release turf fertiliser from September /October,omitting mid-summer and mid-winter periods. [more details on product in an earlier post]

For zoysia use half of the recommended rate on the bag,
so normally use about 2kg/100 sq m [ usual recommendation is 3-5kg/100 sq m,
which is based around couch - do not need as much for zoysia.]

It is very important to spread fertiliser evenly. Use a push type spreader or a small hand applicator for smaller areas. Lightly water into the ground after application, aiming to avoid burning the small seedlings. In hot weather, apply fertiliser late afternoon or early evening to avoid burning plants.